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This group of reservoirs forms one of the premier birding sites in the London area with large numbers of regularly wintering and passage waterfowl and a list of rarities unsurpassed in the region.

Staines Reservoir covers 170ha and is divided into north and south basins by a causeway which provides excellent viewing across both waters. There are concrete banks and the water depth averages about 10m but once every few years one is drained leaving muddy margins, islands and shallow water that are ideal for waders and other birds.

Around the reservoir is rough grassland with patches of hawthorn and bramble scrub that provide food and shelter for a few breeding birds and attract passerine migrants.

The two Staines basins lie to the east of the A3044 and to the west is the King George VI Reservoir, a much larger water dating from the Second World War. The birds are similar to those found at Staines but access is limited to those with special permits to census waterfowl.

The causeway between the two basins is a public footpath with open access at all times but there is no access to other parts of the shoreline.

The reservoir is situated north of the A30 to the east of the junction with the A308 at Staines. The easiest way to reach it is to take the M25, leaving it eastwards at junction 14 onto the A3113 to Heathrow. Turn right at the next roundabout taking you onto the A3044 to Staines, left at the traffic-lights then right at the mini-roundabout. 500m further on is the car-park for the reservoirs.

Just to the west of the main Staines roundabout and north of the A30 is Staines Moor, Map an area of rough, wet grassland with patches of scrub. Redshank and Northern Lapwing have bred here and may sometimes be present in summer and breeding passerines include Skylark, Reed Warbler, both whitethroats and Blackcap.